What:

When: Sunday, February 26, 2012

Where: Nova Southeastern University (Shepard Broad Law Center, 3305 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314)

AGENDA

9:30-10:00 Check-In and Breakfast

10:00-10:20 Opening Remarks

10:20-11:20 (Panel #1)

What’s Trending in Fashion Law

Panelists:

• Emily Graham, Owner at The Law Offices of Emily Patricia Graham
• Kim Kolback, Owner at Law Offices Of Kimberly Kolback
• Jean Perwin, Attorney at Law Offices of Jean S. Perwin
• Brittany Rawlings, Fashion Attorney & Owner/Designer of B.RAWLINGS

11:20-12:20 (Panel #2)

Festivals and Touring

Panelists:

• Helaine Blum, President at Grand Avenue ECDC
• John Bradley, Managing Member at Bradley Legal Group, P.A.
• Jennifer Gomez, Attorney & Certified Mediator at Jennifer Gomez, PA
• Allison Sinclair, Attorney at Santucci Priore, PL
• Cassi Willard

12:20-1:30 Luncheon
Keynote Speaker – tba

1:30-2:30 (Panel #3)

Sports and Torts

Panelists:

• Joe Costello, Attorney at Kelley, Kronenberg, Gilmartin, Fichtel & Wander
• Alan Fertel, Partner at Boyd & Jenerette
• Darren Heitner, Attorney at Wolfe Law Miami, P.A., Owner of Sports Agent Blog
• Michael Richmond, Professor at Nova Southeastern University
• Jason Weiss, Partner at Smith & Verbit, PL

2:30-2:40 Break

2:40-3:40 (Panel #4)

Music on the Internet

Panelists:

• Charlotte Towne, Owner at Charlotte Towne, P.A.
• Others TBA

Cost: Pre-Registration (before Feb 12): NSU Law Students $10, Non-NSU Law Students $20, General Admission $30, Attorneys for CLE $75.  For more info, please contact SELS President, Josh Blasberg, at blasbergj@nsu.law.nova.edu.

5th Annual Nova Southeastern University Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What: 7th Annual Widener University School of Law Sports and Entertainment Law CLE Symposium

When: Thursday, February 16, 2012 (10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)

Where: Widener University School of Law Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom (4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803)

Offering FIVE (5) CLE credits in DE & PA (including one ethics credit)

AGENDA

9:00–9:50 am  Registration and Continental Breakfast (included with registration)

9:50–9:55 am  Introductions

9:55–10:00 am  Welcome: Sports and Entertainment Association

Panel One – Sports Panel

10:00–11:15 am

“Sports Law in Hindsight: A Dissection of the NFL Lockout”

• Moderator: Christopher J. Cabott, Esquire, Zane Management, Inc., Philadelphia, PA
• Andrew Brandt, Sports Business Analyst, ESPN
• Howie Roseman, Esquire, General Manager, Philadelphia Eagles

11:15–11:30 am Refreshment Break

Panel Two – TV/ Film Panel

11:30 am–12:45 pm

“Reality TV: Beyond the Jersey Shore”

• Moderator: Alexander Murphy, Jr., Esquire, The Law Offices of Alexander Murphy and Adjunct Faculty, Widener Law
• Justin B. Wineburgh, Esquire, Cozen O’Connor, Philadelphia, PA
• John Foy, Executive Producer, Addicted to Food

12:45–2:00 pm  Lunch—Barristers’ Club (included with registration)

Panel Three – Music Panel

2:00–3:15 pm

“How to Become a Great  Music Lawyer in One Hour… and Sixty­three Years”

• Moderator: Alexander Murphy, Jr., Esquire, The Law Offices of Alexander Murphy and Adjunct Faculty, Widener Law
• Kenneth J. Abdo, Esquire, Lommen Abdo, Minneapolis, MN
• Robert E. Donnelly, Esquire, Lommen Abdo, New York City, NY

3:15–3:30 pm  Refreshment Break

Panel Four – Ethics Panel

3:30–4:45 p

“Ethics in Intercollegiate Athletics— Lessons Learned”

• Moderator: Alexander Murphy, Jr., Esquire, The Law Offices of Alexander Murphy and Adjunct Faculty, Widener Law
• Heather Lyke, Associate Athletic Director, The Ohio State University
• John P. Sahl, Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Miller­Becker Center for Professional Responsibility, University of Akron School of Law, Akron, OH

Cost: $125. Widener Law Alumni Fee is $100.  Registration form is embedded, below.

SELA_Brochure

7th Annual Widener University Sports and Entertainment Law CLE Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The initial name of Sports Agent Blog was, “I Want to be a Sports Agent.”  On December 31, 2005, when the first post on this website was published, I was a Junior at the University of Florida and was determined to some day become an agent, representing a variety of athletes.  I can proudly say that I accomplished my goal and helped many athletes in the capacity of “agent” since forming my own company in 2007.  Years later, I am also able to confirm to myself that being a “sports agent” is not for me.

My decision will allow me to expand my current offerings and enter into new lines of business that excite and inspire me.  First of all, Sports Agent Blog will continue to exist and will be updated with the same frequency.  In fact, my relinquishing of the title of “sports agent” should permit further growth of Sports Agent Blog, as many practicing sports agents who currently believe that I am conflicted by running this site in conjunction with representing athletes may put such fears aside.  I look forward to contributing to this website from a completely non-biased position.  In addition to Sports Agent Blog, I occasionally post legal related articles on ChangeLegal.com (mostly related to intellectual property) and very recently created Sport-in-Law, which I believe has major potential to be the go-to website for everything “Sports Law.”

I have been practicing law for roughly a year-and-a-half and have focused my efforts on intellectual property and other types of civil litigation in addition to having a nice sized practice dealing with transactional work.  A majority of my files involve either entertainment, music, or sports related matters.  Recently, I have been working with a handful of sports agencies as their general counsel, assisting them with contract drafting/review and litigation.  With my knowledge of sports law coupled with my experiences in the world of sports agency, I believe I have a unique ability to assist agencies in the aforementioned areas in addition to salary arbitration, sport-specific grievances, and other related matters.  Removing the stigma that is attached to being a sports agent while trying to grow my practice in these areas will hopefully allow my practice to reach entirely new levels.

And then there is my entrepreneurial spirit.  As has been reported by SportsBusiness Journal, my colleague, Jason Belzer, and I recently started a company named Collegiate Sports Advisors.  We have been fortunate to have early success in our efforts, but believe that there is still a lot of untapped potential.  I want to be able to continue to think outside of the box about new and innovative opportunities, whether inside or outside of sport.  I also plan to continue to teach at Indiana University Bloomington in Fall 2012, and perhaps beyond.

What about Dynasty?  The company I founded in April 2007 will continue to exist, but will not be a “sports agency.”  In fact, it is no longer incorporated as DYNASTY ATHLETE REPRESENTATION, LLC.  I have submitted paperwork to change the entity to DYNASTY DEALINGS, LLC.  The agents working for Dynasty will continue to represent their athlete clients so long as the athletes confirm their desire to have such individuals as their official representatives.  For instance, Bryan Swalley will remain as the agent for many of Dynasty’s existing baseball player clients.  And I will still work with many athletes and entertainers, but as an attorney and/or consultant, and not as an agent.

So what am I?  I am not a sports agent.  I am an attorney, consultant, professor, journalist, and entrepreneur.  I am thrilled to make this announcement and I look forward to the future.

My Jerry Maguire-esque Moment? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

“Travis is a talented attorney with extensive experience in the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance,” states Richard Lieberman, Chair of the firm’s corporate, securities and finance department. “As a certified contract advisor by the NFL, he also brings a substantial professional sports practice, which will enhance the firm’s growing sports and entertainment group.”

Leach is also certified as a Contract Advisor by the Canadian Football Players’ Association. He earned a J.D. from University of Miami Law School and a B.S. from Arizona State University.

Travis Leach Starts New Sports And Entertainment Legal Practice At Jennings, Strouss & Salmon from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

When: February 10, 2012 (12 p.m.)

Where: Villanova Room of The Connelly Center

Villanova University School of Law (VSL) convenes an all-star roster of leading experts from sports and television for its 2012 Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal Symposium, “Moneyball’s Impact on Business and Sports.” Jeffrey S. Moorad VSL ’81, vice chairman and CEO of the San Diego Padres, headlines the panel alongside Billy Beane, vice president and general manager of the Oakland A’s; Omar Minaya, senior vice president of baseball operations for the Padres; and Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC. Former Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell VSL ’68, a guest sports commentator for Comcast SportsNet and the Philadelphia Daily News, serves as moderator. A question-and-answer session follows the panel discussion.

Beane’s distinctive analytical approach to making personnel decisions, allowing his team to remain competitive while managing payroll, has changed the business-side of sports for franchise executives, players and agents alike. Other Major League franchises—including the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox—soon began ‘playing Moneyball,’ adopting sabermetrics as a predictive tool and in turn impacting the landscape of America’s pastime. Symposium panelists Moorad, Beane, Minaya and Griffin will analyze the impact of Moneyball and the variety of ways it has changed the face of sports from player contracts to media markets and competitive balance.

Cost: Free for registered attendees.  Register here.  The Symposium will also be simulcast live at www.law.villanova.edu.

Villanova Symposium: Examining Moneyball’s Impact on Business and Sports from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

When: September 28-30, 2012

Where: Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California

The Competition will include 4 rounds of negotiation problems in sports topics.  The San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants baseball game will be held in multiple luxury suites at Petco Park on September 28.  The Competition will begin on the morning of September 29.  The final rounds will end late morning September 30.  The 11th Annual Sports Law Symposium will follow on the afternoon of September 30.

For examples of past negotiation problems, click here.

Cost: Register here.

• National Sports Law Negotiation Competition ($450.00 registration fee for two competitors)
• Additional Coaches and Faculty Advisor(s) ($60.00 per additional person)

SPORTS LAW SYMPOSIUM ONLY Tickets:

• $55.00 – Guests
• $35.00 – Thomas Jefferson School of Law Faculty, Staff, Alumni & San Diego County Bar Association Members
• $25.00 – Law Students

National Sports Law Negotiation Competition (NSLNC 2012) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University announced the publication of its inaugural edition of the Sports and Entertainment Law Journal at the first Arizona State University Sports & Entertainment Law Conference, held in late 2010.  For a first issue of a Sports & Entertainment Law Journal, I was pleasantly surprised with the authors and content included within the Journal.

In November of this year, I was honored to be a part of Arizona State’s 2nd Annual Conference On Sports & Entertainment Law, speaking on the collective bargaining agreements within the “Big 4 Sports” along with Sports Agent Regulation.

Today, I am proud to announce that the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University’s Sports and Entertainment Law Journal has very recently presented Volume 1 Issue 2 of its Journal.  The publication is available online for a limited time in digital format free of charge (download Volume 1 Issue 2 here).  If you would like to purchase a print version please contact asulaw.selj@gmail.com.

The second edition includes the following articles:

1.  Boxing: One Last Cry for National Uniformity, Isai Molina
2.  Genetic Doping: The Lance Armstrong Case as a Preview for Future Regulations, Jason Steiner
3.  Mixing Contests and Sweepstakes with Entertainment Programming, Joy R. Butler
4.  Amateurism – Outdated or Still a Vital Concept?, Elsa Cole
5.  Let’s Make a Deal: Examining the Contentious Relationship Between the National Hockey League and Kontinental Hockey League, Ross Appel
6.  Give my Regards to The United States Copyright Office? A Determination of Whether Copyright Protection Should be Extended to Stage Directions, Ryan Byrnes

Congratulations to the entire staff at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University’s Sports and Entertainment Law Journal, including Kellen Bradley, who was an excellent ambassador for his school while I was in Tempe, Arizona in November.

ASU Sports & Entertainment Law Journal Presents Volume 1 Issue 2 from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The new law has completely changed the definition of “athlete agent” within Arkansas.  To be considered an athlete agent in the state of Arkansas, one must either (1) have a student-athlete authorize the agent to enter into an agreement; (2) work on behalf of another agent (runners, recruiters, service providers, etc); and/or (3) represent to the public that he is an athlete agent.  Additionally, family members who offer or solicit, on their own behalf or the student-athlete’s behalf, any sort of financial benefit or gift not allowed by the NCAA will be considered athlete agents under the Act.

Furthermore, the Act demands that athlete agents notify a school’s athletic director prior to contacting an athlete at that school.  However, the Act also gives a 72-hour window to inform the athletic directorafter the contact is made.

Agents who provide a financial benefit or gift to a student-athlete may go to jail for up to 6 years and/or be fined $250,o00.

While the Act has received overwhelming support, Representative John Walker, a Democrat from Little Rock, Arkansas is not so sure about the Act’s effectiveness.  He has stated, “Perhaps this would be better to be a national law rather than a local law because you can talk about the agent, but you can’t bring that person within the state unless he has some significant direct contact with the student in the state.”  Perhaps one day the law will be used as a starting point for a new federal law.  However, in the meantime, at least the NCAA has taken notice.

Last week, Arkansas Chief Deputy Attorney General Brad Phelps spoke about the Arkansas law at an NCAA-sponsored summit.  It has been reported that State officials from North Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma, along with NFL and NFLPA members, and sports agents were in attendance.  It appears that the UAAA may soon become a relic of the past.  Will Arkansas’ law become the model for all states to follow?  I am not positive that would be a good thing, as the maximum penalty of 6 years seems rather excessive.

The Act may be read below.

The Athlete Agent Reform Act Of 2011

Arkansas’ New Athlete Agent Law May Be Used As National Model from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What:

Where: New York University (NYU) School of Law (Room 214, Vanderbilt Hall) – map

When: November 14, 2011 (4:00 – 6:00 pm)

Hear from a panel of professionals with varied backgrounds and experiences discuss and debate the most pressing topics in collegiate sports, including compensation for student athletes, the rise of super conferences, agency influence, and the future of the NCAA. Food and drinks will be provided.

Panelists

• Craig Esherick, Associate Director of Center of Sports Management at George Mason University and former head coach of Georgetown University Men’s Basketball Team
• Dr. Constance Zotos, clinical associate professor at NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies and former Athletics Director at Drew University
• Alan Milstein, Partner, Sherman Silverstein and attorney for Maurice Clarett in cases against NCAA and NFL
• Seth Wickersham, writer for ESPN The Magazine
• Moderator: Robert Boland, clinical associate professor of Sports Management, NYU Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management

Cost: Free. Please RSVP here.

NYU Law Collegiate Sports Event from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What:

When: November 17-18, 2011

Where: Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California

Panels:

Opening Session – Antitrust (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Thursday November 17)

• Mark Shurtleff, Attorney General of Utah, has initiated the antitrust litigation against the BCS
• Gordon Schnell, Attorney with Constantine Cannon in NYC
• James McCurdy, Visiting Professor of Law, University of San Diego
• Len Simon, antitrust sports lawyer
• Moderator: Steven Semeraro, antitrust law professor, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Second Session – Tax and Bowl Issues (2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Thursday November 17)

• Chad Pehrson, Parr Brown Loveless & Gee in Salt Lake City and co-founder of Playoff PAC
• Allen R. Sanderson, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of Chicago
• David Williams, V.P. Vanderbilt University, also incoming Chair of the NCAA’s Infractions Appeals Committee and member of the Academic Affairs Committee (NCAA)
• Craig Harris, Arizona Republic, author of major series of articles regarding the bowl system
• Moderator: Tim Sullivan, San Diego Union

Third Session – Policy 1 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Friday, November 18)

• Kristi Dosh, Sports Business Reporter for ESPN
• Christian Dennie, Barlow, Garsek and Simon
• Roy Kramer, former Commissioner of the SEC, “the father of the BCS”
• Moderator: Randy Grossman, sports lawyer and member of the Board of Trustees for Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Final Session – Policy 2 (2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Friday November 18)

• Jeff Levine, teaches sports law at the Phoenix College of Law and has written extensively in the area
• Rodney K. Smith, Director, Sports Law and Policy Center, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
• Moderator: Josh Winneker, Assistant Dean of Career Services, Thomas Jefferson School of Law and College Sports Business News, Sports Law Columnist

Conference On The BCS And The Future Of Big-Time College Football from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules